Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 56
October 24, 2016
How to Learn Grammar Naturally
It is proving difficult to illustrate an article on learning grammar naturally! So we'll take inspiration from good ol' Smokey, who is always his best, most natural self--especially on vacation! (In our brief absence we leave you with a helpful article by Benjamin Houy of FrenchTogether.com)
HOW TO LEARN GRAMMAR NATURALLY
Have you ever triedasking French people why they say things the way they say them? If you do, you're likely tohear "it just sounds right" or "I don't know”. That's becau...
October 19, 2016
Miam! Courge Marron Soup & We're going to Spain!
"Miam" is a French word used to designate the appreciation of something, generally a culinary preparation. It is a word that comes from a child's language but one adults use, too, as a part of their appetite. Definition from Internaute.com
Miam est un terme utilisé pour désigner l'appréciation d'une chose, généralement une préparation culinaire. C'est un mot qui provient du langage enfantin mais dont les adultes se servent également pour faire part de leur appétit. Miam-miam! = yum yum!
EC...
October 15, 2016
Mudita: The Secret to Happiness in France...and Denver, Portland, Bozeman?
We all need more mudita! Mudita is the benevolent and altruistic joy that delights in the happiness and success of others. It is a sacred joy that finds its pleasure in the well-being of another rather than by feeding envious thoughts and jealousies concerning the other. To illustrate "mudita," we often give the example of parents, who delight in the progress and happiness of their children. (Photo from our marriage. I know, you've seen it many times!) I think marriage vows should include "...
October 13, 2016
Is Jean-Marc single? Can I buy your home? Avoir la niaque
There were some unexpected comments following my story about moving on. For the record, No, he's not single! Jean-Marc answers more questions in his open letter, below.
TODAY'S WORD: avoir la niaque (also: avoir la gnaque)
French: Être très motivé, être capable de soulever des montagnes. (Wikipedia)
English : To be very motivated, to be capable of moving mountains
ECOUTEZ - Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce today's French word:
Avoir la niaque. Aujourd'hui,...
October 10, 2016
If we left France, Where we could move...
I think I could live anywhere...as long as there is a garden to call my own. Or is it time to share another's garden? To contribute and to humbly accept a portion of the harvest? These things cross my mind. Meantime, we continue in limbo, until the day our vineyard sells and another decision is made. Read on. (Photo taken on the island of Port Cros, at Le Manoir).
TODAY'S QUOTE:
Il arrive que les grandes décisions ne se prennent pas, mais se forment d'elles-mêmes.
It happens that big decisi...
October 5, 2016
New friends, new words, and meme pas peur!
Voici une photo d'un caraco. Here is a picture of a caraco. Worn by Jackie, to her brother's birthday party.
TODAY'S WORD: le caraco
- camisole
- bodice, corset
ECOUTEZ - Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce today's French word:
Ni un débardeur, ni un marcel, le caraco c'est une camisole
Neither a vest top or a tank top, a caraco is a camisole
Improve your spoken French. Try Pronounce it Perfectly in French or Exercises in French Phonetics
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
by Kristi...
October 1, 2016
Fresh as a lettuce : and other delights from Mama's in Mexique
It's good to be back in France! Please give a warm welcome to our returning sponsor, Cynthia:
Provence & French Alps Tours – Two regions of France in affordable, small group tours since 2009. Majestic mountains, Provence colors. Wine/cheese tastings, Michelin Star cuisine. Click here.
TODAY'S WORD: fresh as a lettuce
: to be calm as a cucumber, in French, is to be Cool Raoul (click here).
: and in Spanish it is to be fresca como una lechuga.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
by Kristi Espin...
September 19, 2016
Etat des lieux : What happens before you move into a rental home in France
How to get a car into the pedestrian inner-city of Aix-en-Provence, on busy Market Day? And a special message at the end of this post. Don't miss it.
CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP! Join two chocolate shop owners in Provence, France & learn how to make chocolates using French techniques. We’ll stay in a medieval village and roam outdoor markets, castles, and more! CLICK HERE.
TODAY'S WORD: état des lieux
: walkthrough (before moving into a new place)
: inventory of fixtures
faire l'état des lieux: t...
September 13, 2016
To come to a decision. On Turning the Page of our vineyard dream
Four years ago, I thought we had finally put down our anchor--that our grandkids would eat these figs that Smokey and I were harvesting here in the Land of Milk and Honey. Jean-Marc can better give you the reasons for wanting to move. Until then, today's letter answers some of those questions you may be having.
TODAY'S WORD: parvenir à une décision
: to come to a decision
ECOUTEZ - Listen to me pronounce today's word: Download Parvenir-decision
On n'est pas encore parvenu à une décision...
September 7, 2016
Tarte Tomate : that seasonal French recipe you love and have been asking for!
I know this tomato picture is crooked. Just tilt your head and carry on. A good recipe awaits you!
TODAY'S WORD: cocher (ko-shay) verb
: to check off, to tick (off); to score
cocher la bonne réponse = to check the correct answer
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A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
by Kristi Espinasse...
